Making Sense Press™Making sense of life, one page at a time.

About the Press

An Independent Press Built for Authors Who Are Ready.

Making Sense Press is an independent publishing imprint founded to give authors a real publishing home — with ISBNs, imprint identity, and structured support — while preserving their creative freedom and 100% of their royalties.

We work with authors who are ready to publish and who want a structured, professional path forward — without giving up creative control or a share of their earnings.

Lisa Tarves, Founder of Making Sense Press

Lisa Tarves — Founder & Publisher, Making Sense Press

Meet the Founder

Lisa Tarves

Founder & Publisher

Founder & Publisher — Making Sense Press

Lisa Tarves is the founder and publisher of Making Sense Press. She created MSP to offer authors a real publishing home — one that provides imprint identity, ISBNs, and structured support while preserving the author's creative freedom and full royalty earnings.

"Publishing should serve the author, not the other way around."

— Lisa Tarves

Before founding Making Sense Press, Lisa spent years navigating the publishing landscape as an author herself. That experience shaped her belief that authors deserve a publishing partner who is transparent, honest, and genuinely invested in their success.

Making Sense Press was built on the belief that authors deserve a publishing partner who is transparent about what they provide, honest about what authors must arrange themselves, and committed to the author's long-term success.

Every book has a voice. Our job is to help that voice reach readers — clearly, professionally, and on the author's own terms.

Working Directly with Authors

How Lisa Works with Authors

In addition to her role as Founder and Publisher of Making Sense Press, Lisa Tarves works directly with authors who need guidance during the writing, publishing, or creative process. Her approach is practical and personal — she works with each author based on what is actually getting in the way, whether the challenge is creative, practical, technical, emotional, or publishing-related. Authors may work with Lisa for support such as:

  • Creative direction and writer's block
  • Figuring out where a fiction story should go next
  • Plot and character development conversations
  • Organizing nonfiction ideas and determining what should come next
  • Book development and publishing guidance
  • Publishing decision-making
  • Book marketing and launch strategy
  • Practical or technical obstacles interfering with the writing process
  • Creative, confidence, or emotional roadblocks that are preventing an author from moving forward

Lisa brings a broad professional background to this work. In addition to her experience as an author and publisher, she has previous publishing-business experience, many years of professional marketing experience, and extensive experience in counseling, coaching, NLP, hypnotherapy, media, and working with people through emotional and practical roadblocks.

This range of experience means she can meet authors where they are — whether the obstacle is on the page, in the process, or somewhere deeper. These consultations are not therapy, but they are grounded in a genuine understanding of what it takes to move forward creatively and practically.

Approved Making Sense Press authors can learn about available author add-ons and private sessions — including the Creative Breakthrough Session with Lisa — on the Publishing Package Add-Ons page.

What We Look For

We look for authors with a completed or near-complete manuscript who are ready to move forward with publication. We welcome first-time and experienced authors across a wide range of nonfiction and fiction genres.

Publishing Is Personal

Your Book. Your Path.

There is no single right way to publish a book.

There is only the path that is right for you.

Making Sense Press offers a structured publishing home for authors who want imprint identity, ISBNs, and clear support — without giving up creative control or a share of their royalties.

We are transparent about what we provide and what you arrange independently. You choose the level of support that fits your book and your goals.

Making Sense Press is not a traditional publisher, self-publishing platform, or full-service hybrid publisher. We offer an independent publishing model with optional levels of author guidance and support.

If you are an author looking for publishing support, learn how we work with authors or explore our publishing packages.

"The best books don't just tell stories — they stay with you."